Ask the Author: Mandy Mikulencak
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Mandy Mikulencak
First, DON'T GIVE UP! My first novel was rejected by 90 literary agents. It took writing three more books before I landed my amazing agent, JL Stermer. Rejection is part of every stage of publishing, even after your book is published. Second, find an online community of writers, follow agents on Twitter, and learn about the industry before you even start querying your book. Third, READ, READ, READ.
Mandy Mikulencak
The idea for the novel originated several years ago when I was visiting with my dear friend, Katrina. She’d stumbled upon a website that listed the final words of death row inmates in the Texas correctional system. Some of the entries also listed what the inmate requested for his last meal. She told me about a young man who only wanted Frosted Flakes and milk. We talked about the poignancy of that image, and how inmates’ last requests have more to do with memory and loss, than they do of hunger and pleasure. I knew right then that I wanted to write a novel exploring the connection of food to emotion. However, the book became so much more than food fiction. Many of the issues featured in the book (set in 1950s Louisiana) are relevant today, such as racism, poverty, prisoners' rights, social justice, and sexual inequality. The book definitely sparks discussion and debate. It's a great novel for book clubs in that respect.
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May 25, 2018 05:30AM · flag